The Georgia Bulldogs are officially in grind mode.
The Bulldogs had practiced 10 times over eight days at the end of the day Friday and will have been on the practice fields nine days in a row when they finally embark on the first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday evening at Sanford Stadium.
So when asked to gauge the progress of his team three weeks before the Aug. 30 season opener against Clemson, coach Mark Richt was talking more in terms of survival than he was performance.
“The guys have been working extremely hard,” Richt said following the fourth full-contact practice in as many days on Friday. “They’ve got a lot more stamina than they’ve had I think in the past. It’s obvious we had a good offseason as far as our guys running and the conditioning they’re in. Still, it’s tough out there. It’s very warm out there. Guys are tired out there, guys are pushing through some nicks and bruises and things of that nature.
“It’s typical of this time of year, guys fighting through it a little bit mentally as the days wear on and the bumps and bruises wear on. They’re pushing and the coaches are pushing them.”
There should be a little more energy and motivation for Saturday’s scrimmage. It promises to be the most intense and competitive of preseason as players will be battling for last few spots on the team that can expect to play against Clemson.
“In essence when you say your first- and second team is set for today’s practice, you’re saying if today was the game who would be going.” Richt said. “So I would say we’re close in that regard. There’s some guys that may be missing a practice or two for whatever reason and will be back soon, so you’ve got to factor that in, I guess.”
One of the undecided positions is No. 2 quarterback. Who might be first in should starter Hutson Mason go down with an injury is obviously an important role.
Based on practice reps, it would appear redshirt sophomore Faton Bauta might hold a slight edge on redshirt freshman Brice Ramsey.
“I’d say Faton and Brice are in a closer race than Jacob (Park),” Richt said. “Jacob’s making progress, but I don’t know if No. 2 is established right at this minute. Scrimmages help. It comes down to when we start installing for Clemson where we think we are. It might be tight enough where it could be a week-to-week discussion. … I’d have a hard time making that decision right now.”
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